TVCC Board Approves $2.5 Million Facilities Improvement Plan
(Post sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy)
By Michael V. Hannigan
The Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a $2.5 million facilities improvement plan, aiming to repair and enhance buildings across all campuses.
This is in addition to the nearly $1 million project to transform the Fine Arts Building that began last month.
And this is just the first phase.
"We want all of our campuses to look the part of excellence," said Dr. Jason Morrison, President of TVCC. "It's not just about being excellent in the classroom or in serving students. Our facilities should reflect the same level of excellence and be something our community can be proud of."
Dr. Morrison said this is the start of a multi-year program.
"This is Phase One of what’s going to be a four- to five-year capital improvement plan, which will probably be around $2.5 million per year," he said. "Our aim is to modernize our campuses, making them more appealing to our student populations and a great place to go to college."
The plan for this fiscal year addresses urgent needs identified through a comprehensive review, including roofing and mechanical systems. Key projects in this phase include the renovation of the Cardinal Gym roof and waterproofing and renovating the Math/Journalism building on the Athens Campus. There will also be projects to address courtyard drainage and sidewalks on the Terrell Campus and an auditorium renovation on the Palestine Campus.
Dr. Morrison identified numerous areas of need when he first arrived on campus and has prioritized addressing the college's facility needs. A pivotal step in this process was the hiring of Vice President of Operations Marcus McArthur in February.
"His initial role was to help finalize and create five-year plans of facility improvements" said Dr. Morrison. "We have the roofing analysis, we're steadily doing mechanical analysis. We're looking at everything on campus so we can put together a holistic approach to modernize the Trinity Valley Community College system."
These improvements are expected to significantly enhance the student experience by providing safer, more modern, and appealing facilities. Dr. Morrison said that improving the campus infrastructure is crucial for creating a positive learning environment and demonstrating the college’s commitment to excellence.
"We have so many people that are rooted in Trinity Valley, from students to employees. They've seen different times in the history of this college. You know how you show respect to them and their dedication? You bring it back to what they remember and make it even better," he said. "I always tell people, the best way to honor history is keep making history. And to make history we need to improve ourselves."
